The items in the exhibit show the history of intolerance toward blacks on Long Island, and detail how organizations like the Ku Klux Klan were active on the East End as recently as 50 years ago.

“It’s just a form of education,” Ms. Curran said in a story that will run in the Jan. 24 paper. “We’re not editing history.”

The exhibit, called “Hidden and Forbidden,” will open on Feb. 1 at the Suffolk County Historical Society in Riverhead with a sister exhibition at East End Arts (via moya at dhead online). Part of the exhibit documents artists attemps to “reclaim” the black identity in the face of racism.

See below to learn more about the history of racism on the East End and get a sneak peek of the pieces in the exhibit.

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | A KKK garment given to the Suffolk County Historical Society by an anonymous donor. The robes are from Long Island.

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | Curator David Byer-Tyre with artwork by Bob Carter of Dix Hills. This painting is part of the exhibit to document artists attempting to “reclaim” the black identity in the face of racism.